16 Internal Ramps

Alpha Wayland Reyrem

One of the unique traits some werewolves possess is the ability to sense the emotions and feelings of others. It's like a wave of energy that radiates from the other being and washes over you, coloring your own perception with their emotional state. For an Alpha, this skill is not optional—it’s essential. You must always know who you’re dealing with, be it human or beast.

This empathic perception is something akin to an unnamed sense, like sight or smell—an instinct deeply rooted in the bloodline of potential Alphas and strong wolves.

Alongside it stands another power: mental influence. All wolves can communicate telepathically in their animal form. But the strongest among us can go further—we can suppress, dominate, and bend the will of those weaker than ourselves. Some call it "Alpha’s command," but that’s not entirely accurate. Many powerful wolves—not just leaders—can wield it. Still, in most cases, Alphas possess the strongest and most developed version of this ability.

When I referred to the girl as a "stray," it was a deliberate move to set clear boundaries between us. I wanted to cut off any illusions she might have been building. I know exactly who she is to me—but whether I need a mate like her, that’s another matter entirely. If she were a wolf, things might be different. But she’s not. She’s human. And the fact that she doesn’t even know we’re fated... for now, that actually plays to my advantage.

Right after my words, I was almost knocked over by the flood of emotions that hit me from the redhead. Confusion, anger, hurt—and most of all, betrayal. That last emotion didn’t sit well with my wolf at all. Nor did it help when she pulled away, hastily gathering her things and awkwardly trying to cover her body without even looking at me.

My wolf wasn’t satisfied. Not even close. He didn’t want guilt or shame radiating from our mate—he craved more of those moans of pleasure and the spark of desire in her gaze.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked, truly surprised. Just minutes ago, she was completely responsive. What changed?

“What do you mean ‘where’? I’m leaving. As far away as I can. I assume the punishment is over now?” she said, finally lifting her eyes to meet mine. She stood up straight—and gods, she barely reached my chest!

Punishment?

That stopped me cold. Did she really think everything that had just happened was some twisted punishment? I hadn’t thought about it that way—but when you stripped it all down... it could look like that. Still, women don’t usually moan like that during punishment. Her idea of “discipline” was clearly skewed.

“You didn’t enjoy it?” I asked bluntly, even though I had felt every damn shiver of her climax. She hesitated, looking embarrassed, maybe even trying to weigh her response before she said with a shrug:

“Well… it was okay…”

Okay? Okay?!

That wasn’t just a blow to my ego—it was a full-blown insult. I was furious. No one had ever said something like that to me. And from a human girl of all people!

My wolf was livid too—but not with her. No, he was furious at me. As if I had deliberately held back just to sabotage things with our mate.

Sensing my barely restrained anger, the girl took a step back, clearly preparing to make a run for it. That only made my wolf more agitated.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to leave!” I snapped, zipping up my pants and struggling to regain control.

Lakisha had mentioned she hired a new maid, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out it was her. That meant she was staff—under my roof, under my command. She was supposed to obey.

“But I already cleaned everything in your house,” she said, eyes downcast but trying to sound firm. “Sorry for falling asleep in your room. It won’t happen again.”

It was her next words that sent both me and my wolf into a stunned silence.

“You won’t see me again. My kids are waiting for me.”

Kids?!

That one word hit like a punch to the gut. Rage and confusion clouded my wolf’s mind, and I wasn’t spared either. The idea of her with another man, the suggestion that she had a family—it stung.

Without thinking, I had her pinned to the wall again, my wolf taking control as we inhaled her scent, desperately trying to detect the presence of another male.

But there was none.

No other man’s scent on her. That meant… maybe she was divorced? Or alone?

It hadn’t even occurred to us that she might have a partner. Hell, I didn’t even know her name. Everything had happened so fast, and now my wolf was clawing at me from the inside, demanding I mark her, stake our claim, eliminate any threat to our bond—even the children.

But I couldn’t let that happen.

I forced myself to breathe, to think.

“Kids, huh?” I muttered through gritted teeth, looking deep into her wide eyes.

“Fine,” I growled after a pause. “They’re probably waiting for you. But you’re still employed here. You’ll come back and finish your duties. Just don’t push your luck again, and definitely don’t provoke me. Clean this place up!”

With that, I stepped away and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me before I did something I couldn’t take back.

Even through the sound of running water, I could feel her emotions—anger, resentment, humiliation. I could hear the rough movements as she changed the sheets, probably cursing me to hell.

Oddly, the thought made me smile.

Maybe I was wrong about her. Maybe she was stronger than I thought.

Still not strong enough for me—but maybe not as fragile as she seemed.

She left, and the scent of her lingered in the air—along with the aftermath of our chaos.

For the first time ever, my bedroom felt cold. Empty.

Through the window, I watched her small figure walking quickly down the driveway, holding a small bag.

My wolf thrashed inside me, wanting to chase her down.

I had to fight harder than ever for control. And that terrified me.

Because if someone challenged me right now, I might not win. My wolf had become unreliable. Unpredictable.

If I shifted now… he might not fight. He might just run to her.

That was dangerous.

The moment her rusted car disappeared from sight, I grabbed my phone and dialed Zavir.

“I’ve got a new maid,” I said without greeting. “Lakisha brought her in. I need everything on her. Now.”

I hung up, and within the hour, I had her file in my hands:

Alina Olegovna Velichko.